New Labour are going ahead with their great "give away" of government buildings. Under the "Workplace 2010" strategy government offices such as Castle Buildings and Castle Court are to be handed over to the private sector.

Four companies have handed in their bids to take over the buildings in a deal reckoned to be worth £2 billion.

NIPSA, the main union that represents the people who work in these buildings, has organised a series of protests against this move. NIPSA President, Billy Lynn, told The Socialist: "Workplace 2010 is nothing more than a get rich quick scheme for private companies at the taxpayers’ expense. Almost 80 civil service buildings are being handed over to private companies who will then run them as they wish – not necessarily housing civil or public servants.

"The companies will be given £2 billion. We estimate their costs over the 20 years of the scheme will be £1.2 billion. That leaves them with a profit of £800,000 plus whatever other money they generate from leasing these offices.

"500 of our members will be transferred to the private sector and jobs will go. We need to mobilise our members to fight tooth and nail against this asset stripping exercise."